Recycling process for discarded roof shingles

摘要

A process extracts and reclaims the components of an asphalt-based material having as constituents at least asphalt and one or more solid materials. A solvent for asphalt dissolves the asphalt constituent to form a slurry of asphalt-solvent liquid and the solid materials. The liquid and the solids in the slurry are then separated. The liquid is separated into solvent and asphalt. The solids, when of more than one type, are separated into at least one pure constituent solid. In a preferred embodiment, the process runs in a continuous mode with the various materials flowing as streams into spaces where steps of the process operate. The process can be used for both worn roofing shingles and for asphalt paving.

主权项

1. A process for separating constituents of a solid material stream having as constituents at least asphalt and one solid material, comprising the steps of:
a) shredding the material in the solid material stream to form a stream of shredded material mass; b) providing a first solvent stream; c) mixing the shredded material stream with the first solvent stream to dissolve the asphalt in the shredded material mass, to form a first slurry stream comprising a solution of asphalt dissolved in the first solvent, and solid materials; c) separating at least some of the solid materials in the first slurry stream from the asphalt and first solvent solution in the first slurry stream to form a final solid materials stream and a final asphalt-solvent solution stream; and d) separating the solvent and the asphalt in the final asphalt-solvent solution stream to form a reclaimed solvent stream and an asphalt stream.